Pastoral Care
At its heart, the Bridgeway Pastoral Care Ministry is about being the hands and feet of Jesus. We desire to come alongside those in our congregation in their time of need — to love, support and encourage them when they’ve lost a loved one, or are dealing with a long-term illness, hospitalization or hospice situation, or other of life’s many challenges.
For more information about any of these ministries, please contact Pastor Mark Henkel.
BRIDGEWAY CHAPLAIN TEAM
The Bridgeway Chaplain Team provides emergency response for situations needing immediate care and support, such as an unexpected death or emergency hospitalization due to accident or illness. To request chaplain support, call the Chaplain Hotline at (916) 952-8887. If you reach voicemail, please leave a detailed message and someone will respond as soon as possible.
STEPHEN MINISTRY
Stephen Ministry is a one-to-one care ministry that equips and empowers lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. At its core, Stephen Ministry is a ministry of presence—being with people to love, support, and encourage them through life’s difficult times.
VISITATION & TELECARE TEAM
The Visitation & Telecare Team provides short-term visitation support, primarily by phone, for those needing encouragement, spiritual support, and prayer. This team fills the gap between urgent calls appropriate for Chaplains and the formal, long-term caring relationship offered by Stephen Ministry. To request support, please fill out the Request Support form.
PASTORAL CARE TEAM
The Pastoral Care Team is available to meet with those who need short-term pastoral care in order to provide biblical counsel, a listening ear, prayer, and compassion. Please fill out the Contact Care & Compassion form and one of our care coordinators will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
CARDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT TEAM
The Cards of Encouragement team sends cards and letters to those who are battling cancer and other illnesses, to help provide encouragement and comfort. Team members also pray faithfully for those who receive the cards. If someone loses their battle with illness, the team continues to send cards to the surviving family. For more information, contact cards@bridgeway.church. To request Cards of Encouragement for yourself or someone else, please complete the Cards of Encouragement Request form.
MEALS MINISTRY
The Meals Ministry provides meals on a temporary, emergency basis for those who attend Bridgeway and are going through a time of need, such as the birth of a new baby, illness or hospitalization, or a death in the family. For more information contact meals@bridgewaychristian.org. To submit a request for meals, please complete the Meals Ministry Request Form.
DIVORCECARE
Few experiences in life are as difficult or as painful as separation and divorce. Our DivorceCare support group is a safe place where caring people come alongside you as you find healing from the pain of separation or divorce. You’ll find helpful counsel to manage the emotional turmoil and practical tools for decision-making.
GRIEFSHARE
It hurts deeply to lose someone. GriefShare is a support group designed to help those who have suffered the loss of a loved one through the grieving process and give them tools for rebuilding their lives. These groups have video-based teaching and are led by a trained facilitator. Those in GriefShare will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. For more information contact our GriefShare team
MEMORIAL SUPPORT MINISTRY
The Memorial Support Ministry seeks to come alongside those who are grieving the loss of a loved one and who need to plan a memorial service at Bridgeway. This team will assist with planning and hosting the reception after the memorial service. Our desire is to enable families to spend time with each other rather than in planning and hosting a reception.